Best Children’s Books about Kids with Disabilities

January 5, 2012

Best Books for Kids about Disabilities

The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a picture or chapter book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. I really like how these great picture and chapter books let kids walk in the shoes of another and I find the themes of “trying to fit in versus accepting themselves and their family members” to be universal for all children.

I have the entire list of winners below. What other books should be on this list? Please make suggestions!

Middle School 2011 Winner

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick Tells the story of Jeffrey who is free of cancer, but not the fallout from the treatment. Tad, his cancer survivor buddy and he swap wisecracks as they cope with their “chemo-brain,” other cancer effects and typical 8th grade angst. I am personally a big fan of this YA chapter book!

2011 Winner Teen Book

Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony JohnDumb is not the name Piper, a high school senior who is Deaf, would have chosen for a heavy metal band, yet she volunteers to manage this disparate group of would-be musicians. In her attempt to make Dumb profitable, Piper learns a few things about music and business, striking a chord within herself.

2011 Winner Young Children’s Book

The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Lynne Avril Ginny’s eyes play tricks and, in her world, there are two of everything. Reading, math, and kindergarten activities are a challenge. Wearing an eye patch turns her into the pirate of kindergarten, and glasses help bring her world into focus. Whimsical mixed media illustrations cleverly convey Ginny’s experiences first hand.

This is Wendy Mass’s first book and Judy Blume wrote, “From the moment I read a story by Wendy Mass I knew she was a writer to watch.” In this book, Mia Winchell has synesthesia; a condition in which sounds, numbers and words conjure up colors to her. It’s a secret that she’s been keeping since the third grade when she had a traumatic experience in front of the class at the chalkboard. Now, thirteen Mia learns that there are others with this same ability and learns to finally embrace this.

So great! Growing up with a chronic illness I always felt like a bit of a freak – the only kid I ever knew who had asthma was Piggy in Lord of the Flies, and he wasn’t exactly a great role model! I’m so glad that today’s kids have more opportunities to see kids they can relate to getting to star in their own stories! 🙂

Hi Jane,
I’m surprised there aren’t more books about chronic illnesses like asthma actually. You bring up a great point! I will try to do a book list on asthma. Let me know if you have book suggestions because I am blanking on it and yet, there are tons of kids with asthma out there but you only really see books about food allergies!Pragmatic Mom recently posted…12 Books For Kids That Challenge Authority & GIVEAWAY!

I’ve been looking for kids books about chronic illnesses lately and there are not many. Young adult have more, but too many of those are kids with an illness that is magically healed in a fantasy world which doesn’t really present a positive self image for kids with chronic illnesses, this is something I’m going to keep looking for though.